Spain approves extradition to Morocco of convicted migrant smuggler
The judicial authorities in Spain have approved the extradition of a Moroccan national to Morocco in connection with allegations of involvement in irregular migration networks, despite his previous conviction for similar offenses in Spain.
The decision was issued by the country’s high criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, which ruled that the suspect may be transferred to Moroccan authorities to face charges related to alleged migrant smuggling operations dating back to 2018.
According to the case file, the man had already been convicted and served a prison sentence in Spain for piloting a vessel carrying migrants toward the southern Andalusian coast. After completing his sentence, he had settled back into civilian life in Spain.
However, Moroccan authorities accuse him of organizing multiple separate crossings that allegedly facilitated the transport of 27 people, including minors, from northern Morocco to Spain. These additional allegations were not part of his previous conviction.
The suspect was arrested in 2023 under an international warrant issued through Interpol. During the legal proceedings, he opposed extradition, arguing that he should not be prosecuted twice for the same facts and highlighting his social integration in Spain.
The Spanish court partially accepted his argument, ruling that he cannot be extradited for offenses already judged in Spain. However, judges confirmed that extradition is permissible for the remaining alleged incidents that were not previously examined.
As a result, the suspect will now face trial in Morocco, where migrant smuggling offenses can carry severe prison sentences. The case highlights ongoing cooperation between European and North African judicial systems in addressing irregular migration networks across the Mediterranean.
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